Huskiness and smoke

It might sound hard to believe, but Renée Geyer is about to release her 22nd album, Dedicated.
Inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005, Geyer is an Australian music legend and considered one of the world’s finest jazz singers.
She said her new album is a mixture of classic hits and soulful originals.
“It’s always hard to pick exciting soul gems. It was difficult finding songs that were right for me and that I could rearrange and the audience would still recognise,” Geyer said.
“For many years now I haven’t recorded anything – I didn’t want to record. There are a couple of Paul Kelly songs – they are extra special because they’ve never been heard before.”
The track list includes songs like It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World and Why Can’t We Live Together.
Geyer has long been adored by the gay and lesbian community – and it is a love that flows in both directions.
“I don’t know why I have a gay following and I don’t question it,” she said. “It’s been like that throughout out my career. They love me and sometimes they’re pissed off with me – it’s like a marriage and we’re still together.
“What I love most about the gay community is that it’s not backward in coming forward – if they don’t like something they let you know.
“The community is going to love all of the songs on the new album because they’re about love and they’re beautiful, wicked, naughty and everything at the same time.”
Geyer will play the Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL on Saturday 29 September and the Great Southern Blues and Rockabilly Festival in Narooma on Sunday 30 September.
“When I do Canterbury it’s always packed and whenever we’re invited we always accept,” she said. “The night will be a sneak preview of the album.”
Geyer plans to tour the country with material from the new album, including a stop at The Basement.
www.reneegeyer.com.au or www.myspace.com/reneegeyer